Post Hair Loss Questions and Get Answers

Hi guys, I’m 21 years old and have been taking Propecia for hair loss for about 4+ months. The results are simply amazing as my hair looks like it did years ago before it started thinning rapidly. What I have noticed, being a heavy weight lifter, is that my muscles have softened, not necessarily lost size though. Have there been any studies or does this seem to be a heard of side effect of taking Propecia?

Also, after taking Propecia for a certain time period, does there come a time where when you stop taking the Propecia, the hair you have regrown will stay (or at least fall out at a normal slow pace)?

Softening of the muscles is not a documented side effect of Propecia (finasteride) but some men do claim to have experienced a noticeable softening of the muscles while taking it.

Unfortunately, Propecia must be taken for life in order to maintain hair growth. Stopping finasteride will eventually result in catch-up hair loss. In other words, your hair will rapidly take on the balding pattern you would have developed had you never started using the drug in the first place.

—-

Although chemotherapy is one of the most effective cancer treatments available today, it is frequently associated with a variety of physical and psychological side effects. Among the potential side effects is one condition notoriously dreaded by cancer patients: hair loss.

Because chemotherapy induced hair loss often makes cancer treatment more difficult and mentally damaging, scientists and physicians continually research ways to preserve native hair and prevent thinning hair during anti-cancer treatments.

Recently, two hospitals in the United Kingdom introduced a new invention that may prevent unfortunate chemotherapy induced hair loss and help cancer patients heal in a more comprehensive manner.

The invention, created by the daughter of a breast cancer victim, is tentatively called a “scalp cooler,” and works by literally lowering a patient’s scalp temperature and decreasing blood flow to the scalp. The reduced scalp blood flow helps minimize the interaction between the hair follicles and harmful chemotherapy drugs, which prevents damage and decreases the frequency of hair loss.

According to Julie Reed, a nurse at one of the trial hospitals:

They are a massive benefit to patients who will be able to use them during their cancer treatment because obviously it’s more evident to people that they are under going treatment when they have no hair.

Furthermore, Oncologist Larry Hayward agrees and states:

Obviously the most important thing is to control the cancer, get rid of it if we can, but allowing patients to get on with life is normal whilst they have what’s otherwise quite complicated treatment is going to be a huge advantage.

Although it’s been proven safe and effective for treating male pattern baldness in several research trials, many hair loss sufferers still insist that the hair restoration drug Propecia (finasteride) causes irreversible sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, these same individuals claim Merck Pharmaceuticals, the makers of Propecia, failed to adequately warn patients about the potential long-term sexual side effects associated with the drug.

As a result, over 51 different class action lawsuits have been filed against Merck Pharmaceuticals within the past several years. Although all cases focus on the allegedly permanent sexual side effects, each differs slightly and was scheduled for a unique day in court. However, Merck Pharmaceuticals recently altered the legal situation by deciding these individual complaints should be consolidated into one lawsuit and evaluated during a single proceeding.

Because 41 of the 53 complaints have been filed in New Jersey, Merck recommends the single trial take place in a New Jersey courtroom. A hearing, to determine whether the consolidation will occur, is scheduled to take place on March 29th, 2012 in San Diego, California.

Legal experts claim the consolidated proceeding would help prevent contradictory decisions and unnecessary pretrial rulings.

In an interesting turn, the official Propecia website is “down” and contains the following message: Thank you for visiting propecia.com, this website is currently not available; You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.

While it’s uncertain whether the website content is related to the current lawsuits, many hair loss patients cannot ignore the coincidental timing.

This question comes from a member of our Hair Loss Social Community and Discussion Forums: 

I recently began researching hair restoration medications and it seems like many hair loss sufferers recommend Nizoral shampoo. How does it work? Is it an effective treatment? Is it proven to fight progressive hair loss?

Ketoconazole (the active ingredient in Nizoral) is first, and foremost, an anti-fungal agent. In this regard, it may have some hair loss impact by reducing scalp inflammation and, therefore, increasing the flow of blood and nutrients to the scalp (though this is my personal opinion).

However, a 1996 study comparing ketoconazole to minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine) helped demonstrate that the anti-fungal also possesses some anti-androgen (hormone) properties. Because of this, it’s believed that ketoconazole may have some “anti-DHT” (dihydrotestosterone) capabilities and can, therefore, help combat hair loss on the hormonal front as well.

Utilizing ketoconazole on the scalp, versus a systemic ingestion (oral administration), allows the drug to absorb and work at the site of administration (the scalp). This means that, much like using topical minoxidil, you won’t see a system wide blockage of DHT, but you can see some action at the scalp itself.

However, keep in mind that, at this point in time, minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride (Propecia) are the only two drugs fully approved for treating genetic hair loss, and I highly recommend adding these components to your Nizoral regimen (if you haven’t already).
_________________

Blake – aka Future_HT_Doc

Hair restoration surgeon Dr. Michael Beehner is recommended by the Hair Transplant Network. To view this discussion and other hair loss topics, visit our Hair Loss Social Community and Discussion Forums,

So I called my hair transplant surgeon and requested finasteride. I asked for Proscar, he refused and gave me a prescription for Propecia. I got it filled at CVS. It cost $97 for a 30 day supply??!! My jaw dropped! For the folks that are currently on Propecia, where do you buy your hair loss medication? Online? What is a trustworthy site to get Propecia cheaper?

We prescribe generic Proscar (5mg finasteride) for baldness at our practice and instruct patients to quarter the tablet. We also direct them to Wal-Mart for the cheapest price. They have a “one-price-for-all-generic-meds” policy and their wholesale source is a reliable manufacturer of generics.

Some of the doctors who still insist on prescribing Propecia in its brand-name, 1mg form will say that the amount in each quarter of the 5mg tablet broken up will be different. But, it doesn’t matter because, while each quarter averages 1.2mg (more than the 1mg in the Propecia tablet), Merck’s own studies showed a significant decrease in DHT with only 0.2mg a day dose, which is less than one-sixth of a quarter tablet’s medication. So, even if there is some slight variation from quarter tab to quarter tab, there is a huge cushion that insures you get enough.

Below we’ve compiled some of the most recent hot topic hair loss related questions and answers provided by physician experts and veteran hair transplant patients. You are encouraged to click on any of the links to topics you find interesting below.

Which Shampoo is Best to Use After Hair Transplant Surgery? View this article presented by Dr. Michael Beehner and learn whether or not the type of shampoo you use after hair transplant surgery really matters.

Impact of Abruptly Stopping Non-Surgical Hair Loss Treatments? Learn about the risks of stopping proven hair loss treatments and what it may mean for your hair.

When Creating a Second Hair Transplant Scar May Be Appropriate: This article discusses Coalition member Dr. Cam Simmons‘ thoughts on whether or not it’s appropriate to create a second hair transplant scar.

Can Swimming or Excessive Chlorine Exposure Cause Hair Loss? Learn whether or not your hair is in any danger from swimming regularly.

Bill Seemiller
Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum
Follow our community on Twitter
Watch hair transplant videos  on YouTube  

Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair transplant, Dr. Michael Beehner, hair transplant, hair loss treatments, Dr. Cam Simmons, hair transplant scar, Bill Seemiller

Because of its recent spike in popularity and versatile nature, many practitioners are currently researching alternative uses for the Botox injectable serum. One area, continually researched and examined by medical experts, is the potential link between hair loss and Botox injections. However, despite ongoing research, the question still remains: can Botox treat hair loss?

“Botox” is a purified form of Botulinum Toxin A, used medically to treat headaches and cosmetically to decrease the appearance of facial wrinkles. The serum works by temporarily paralyzing muscles, thus decreasing the excessive contractions that cause painful headaches and, cosmetically, wrinkle-inducing tension.

Because Botox’s mechanism of action involves reduced muscle tension and a likely increase of oxygenated blood flow to the treated area, many wonder if the injectable could prove useful in treating hair loss. Until recently, most evidence involving Botox and baldness seemed anecdotal and inconclusive, but a new Canadian study finds a correlation between Botox injections and increased hair growth/reduced hair loss.

During the study, 50 patients with Norwood Scales ranging from level II to level IV were treated with a total of 300 units of Botox over a 24 week period. Using a 2 cm strip of injected scalp (to monitor new hair growth) and a lint roller dragged over participant’s pillows (to monitor progressive hair loss), researchers analyzed the results of the study and found a positive correlation between Botox injections and new growth/reduced loss.

This question comes from a member of our Hair Loss Social Community and Discussion Forums: 

After becoming concerned about my hair loss I started doing some research and found that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the hormone responsible for genetic baldness. Knowing this, I assume the best way to treat progressive hair loss is to “block” DHT? Is this true? Is DHT an important element of hair loss?

DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is the hormone (essentially) responsible for hair loss; in this sense, it is very important.

In my opinion, the best way to “block” DHT is to prevent it from forming in inappropriate amounts in the first place. Medications that block the activity of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme (mainly type II 5-alpha-reductase), the compound responsible for converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, will greatly decrease the amount of DHT available to affect hair follicles and cease the progressive loss.

As of now, the two compounds known to block the 5-alpha-reductase activity are finasteride (the active ingredient in Propecia) and dutasteride (the active ingredient in Avodart). Of these two, finasteride is proven safe and effective for treating hair loss and, in my opinion, is the most effective compound to block DHT and prevent progressive baldness.
________________
Blake  – aka Future_HT_Doc

Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

Follow our community on Twitter

Watch hair transplant videos on YouTube

This question comes from a member of our Hair Loss Social Community and Social Network:

Obviously, the rapid evolution of minimally invasive hair restoration solutions (such as stem cell hair loss therapies, injectable hair loss solutions, et cetera) is very promising, but I’m wondering if we will ever see permanent hair restoration via a single medication (tablet) or procedure?

I don’t know if the “tablet theory” (i.e. take a single tablet and cure your ailment) will ever be true for any complex medical condition, but this does not mean we won’t see some “miracle” treatments in our lifetime.

All discussions about highly debilitating conditions (AIDS, Cancer, MS) aside, I personally think baldness is too unique and complex of a condition to ever be “cured” with a single therapy. However, I definitely think we’re going to evolve and invent to a point where a combination of treatments and therapies will allow for an non-invasive, satisfying reversal of genetic hair loss.

In my opinion, I think we’ll probably progress somewhere along the following lines:

1. An injectable hair loss solution that helps regrow around 15-20% of lost/miniaturized hairs. I feel like this will be somewhere along the lines of the current reversal seen with Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride), but without the need to stay on the medications for the same duration of time. Frankly, I believe this therapy is probably the furthest away.

This question, answered by Coalition hair transplant surgeon Dr. Scott Alexander, was asked by a member of our Hair Loss Social Community and Discussion Forums:

I have never taken any medical hair loss treatments like Rogaine (minoxidil) or Propecia (finasteride) and don’t plan to after my hair transplant. I am 37 years old with a 5A.pattern of hair loss on the Norwood Scale. Is anyone out there doing the same or is it like a foregone conclusion that you have to?

The chances of continued balding are really high without medications. It is always up to the patient of course, but not using Propecia and Rogaine could result in further hair loss and/or more hair restoration surgeries to repair the extra loss.

Dr. Scott Alexander

—-

David (TakingThePlunge)
Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant for the Hair Restoration Forum and Social Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q&A Blog.

Technorati Tags: hair loss treatments, Rogaine, minoxidil, Propecia, finasteride, hair transplant, hair loss, Norwood Scale, balding, hair restoration